Peace Officers Research Association of California
Public safety has always been a dangerous profession, and our members put their lives on the line each and every day to help keep our families and communities safe. As part of POREF, PORAC’s in-house Fund-A-Hero fundraising platform allows us to monitor and administer the fundraising process from start to finish, providing financial relief to officers and their families who have been tragically impacted by a line-of-duty death, near fatal injury or catastrophic event.
Last week, Sacramento Police Officer Michelle Powell’s 10 year old son, Evan, was diagnosed with a progressive cancerous brain tumor. Evan has a tumor about the size of a plum in the back of his brain near his spinal column. Everything has moved very quickly. He has had a number of tests already and underwent emergency surgery on Monday, September 8th.
$1,340.00 raised of $15,000.00
Shortly after finding out we were pregnant during one our first anatomy scans, our baby boy was diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). CDH is a condition that affects about 1 in every 3,600 babies. Babies with CDH are born with a hole in their diaphragm, allowing for organs to move into the chest and compromise the development of the lungs. The larger the hernia, the more organs can migrate up. Our baby had his intestines, stomach, spleen, and part of his liver move up into his chest.
$10,410.00 raised of $15,000.00
Ryan Luke, a Deputy with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, and his wife, Ashley, the Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, recently welcomed their second child, Lainey, on June 19, 2025. What should have been a joyful homecoming quickly turned into a nightmare no parent can prepare for. Just six days after birth, Lainey experienced a severe breathing episode and had to be rushed to the hospital.
$43,397.00 raised of $45,000.00
On August 15, 2025, while responding to a roll over traffic collision in Hanford, California, Officer Todd himself was involved in a traffic collision when another motorist pulled out in front of his motorcycle.
$8,825.00 raised of $10,000.00
The Sonoma County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association is reaching out with a heartfelt plea to support three young children left without parents following a devastating tragedy.
$14,700.00 raised of $100,000.00
Officer Solorio Joined the Probation family in January of 2024. He was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Colorectal cancer in July, completely turning his world upside down. The cancer has now spread to his liver. He is currently out of work and has run out of benefits due to his short tenure.
$4,085.00 raised of $5,000.00
Sweet Layne was born 6 weeks premature, and from the very beginning, we knew there may be challenges as she continues to grow. But it wasn’t until she was about 4 months old that we discovered the hole in her heart wasn’t getting any smaller. By 7 months, her cardiologist informed us that the hole was affecting her heart’s size and putting strain on her lungs.
$5,780.00 raised of $10,000.00
Our local law enforcement community has had several tragic medical incidents and is again coming together to support one of our own — Brandon Hicks, a dedicated deputy who has served over ten years with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. What began as unexpected leg pain on the drive home from vacation ultimately resulted in several trips to the emergency room. Tragically, after several tests and biopsies, the diagnosis was far more serious than previously imagined: lymphoma. Since being admitted to the hospital, Brandon has been dealing with a slew of further medical issues, including renal failure, and is in critical need of our support.
$39,530.00 raised of $80,000.00
Jasmine Francisco has served as deputy with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office for about five years and has chosen to dedicate her life to protecting and serving our community with strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Recently diagnosed with kidney cancer, Jasmine recently underwent surgical treatment while also caring for her two young daughters, who are her world. As if fighting kidney cancer wasn’t enough, she and her girls were suddenly forced to leave her recently purchased first home.
$10,016.00 raised of $75,000.00
8/14/25 UPDATE: Our hearts our filled with sadness as we pass this news along. We offer our condolences to the family and friends of Juvenile Institutions Officer Edwardo Alfaro, who passed away on August 13, 2025. Edwardo was a beloved member of the Monterey County Probation Department.
$9,180.00 raised of $50,000.00
